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Still wondering why losing weight is very important? Losing weight especially among people who are overweight, reduce the risk of having hypertension, diabetes, heart attacks and many other conditions.

How Chiropractic Adjustments Can Help?

Generally, chiropractic care removes damages from your nervous system and brings back its optimal function. When this happens, you are in your healthiest state and all other organs and systems in your body are working normally and efficiently. A good example is your digestive system. Through spinal adjustments, the digestive function of the body improves, making it more effective in burning extra calories from the food you eat. Read more on this subject here.

Additionally, when your body is healthy, you can move fast and properly, and the more you move, the faster your metabolism will be. This can help you lose weight, provided that you also engage in exercises and avoid unhealthy foods and lifestyle.

Smart Ways to Lose Weight

It is important to seek advice from health care providers about realistic appropriate plans and goals in losing weight. Starting off with a safe plan is by reducing calories in the diet to about 400-500 calories lower. Diets must have less fat and sugar like minimize on fried foods and fatty cakes and pastries. To cut down on the calories and fat, diet should comprise of vegetables, bread and rice, and fruits.

Decrease consumption on sweets and have only single servings on fatty foods. Avoid alcohol intake and choose light and/or low calories-labeled foods. Dairy products like skim milk, low fat cheeses and fat free yogurt are good substitutes for the usual ice cream and milk based products. Ensure that fish, meat and poultry are lean, skinned and fat free. Foods must be steamed, broiled or roasted. Diets must vary so as to obtain the necessary nutrients.

Utilize the calories and fat that are stored in the body by having 30-minute exercises most of the days in a week. Brisk walking and jogging are good enough.

A person should not be deprived of his/her favorite rich food. However, eating their favorites should only be done sometimes and only in small amounts.

Commercialized diets and ads of fast and simple ways of losing weight do no good since these diets compromise the nutritional aspects of dieting. They may seem very enticing however it actually gives false hopes on having a healthy diet.

On taking diet pills, it would be very important to know about possible side effects like kidney damage, blood pressure and other systemic factors. Labels must be clear and drug interactions should also be indicated. Watch out on the use of medications especially for cough and colds since active agents may be present on diet pills which may lead to toxic levels in the blood and result in organ damage.

Consequently, ask questions to the physician and pharmacist if other medications are currently taken.
Losing weight may be simple and all it requires is that a person must know important aspects by asking.

Thus before committing to a program, ask on any possible health risks, the costs, long term control of weight, proof of success and clinical trials and on education on maintenance of diet and exercise.

Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body is not capable of regulating the amount of sugar in the blood. It is a result of the problem with how your body produces or uses insulin. Insulin is the hormone produced by the pancreas that moves sugar, called glucose, from the bloodstream into muscle, fat and liver cells to be used or stored as fuel. If the pancreas is not able to produce enough amount of insulin and/or if the cells do not respond normally to the insulin, you will have high blood sugar as a result of your body’s inability to move glucose from the blood into muscle and fat cells and because your liver produces too much glucose that it releases into the blood.

Types of Diabetes and Their Causes

Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are the two major types of diabetes. The causes and risk factors for each type are different.

Type 1 Diabetes. This type of diabetes affects children and young adults most often but it can also occur at any age. In this type of diabetes, the pancreas cells that produce the insulin stop working and the body therefore, produces very little or no insulin at all. The cause is not known. Daily injections of insulin are required to allow proper functioning of the body of the person with diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes. This is the more common type of diabetes. Adults are most often diagnosed with this type of diabetes although recently, with the prevalence of obesity, even teenagers and young adults are getting afflicted by it. Some people may not know that they already have the disease.

There are other causes of the disease and people who have the diabetes from these causes cannot be classified as having either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. An example is gestational diabetes, a high blood sugar condition that develops during pregnancy in a woman who has no diabetes previously.

There is no medical basis to the belief that you are most likely to have diabetes if your parent or siblings have diabetes.

The notion that eating too much sugar over a long period of time may cause you to have Type 2 diabetes is also not true. It is the problem on how your body uses or produces insulin that causes diabetes. Eating too much sugar though may make you overweight or obese, a risk factor in diabetes. Your body may find it difficult to properly use insulin when you are overweight. This is what is called insulin resistance. Losing extra weight and being physically active can prevent or even reverse insulin resistance.

Aside from being overweight, the other risk factors for Type 2 diabetes are having high blood pressure and being over 45 years of age.

Some people with high blood sugar do not feel any symptoms because Type 2 diabetes develops very slowly. On the other hand, it takes a short period for the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes to develop. People affected by it may already be very sick by the time they are diagnosed.

Diabetes may cause several health problems over time. These are called diabetes complications, and include damage to your eyes, kidneys, heart, nerves, blood vessels, skin and immune system.

Treatment for Diabetes

There is no cure for Type 1 diabetes.

Diet and exercise are the main treatment for Type 2 diabetes. Learn how much fat, protein and carbohydrates you need in your diet by working with your health care provider. Some people who have diabetes and are successful in their weight loss and exercise program no longer need medicine.

Diabetes medicine and insulin may be needed if you have trouble managing your blood sugar level.

Visit your health care provider at least two to four times a week to prevent diabetes complications

Keeping your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol level in a healthy range is the key to preventing Type 2 diabetes. Healthy diet and an active lifestyle are the most effective means to achieve this.

Do you know that it would help you to lose weight if your body can metabolize the food you eat faster? Learn the basics of metabolism and how you can increase the process.

Understanding Metabolism

Whenever we bite a sandwich or drink water, the body moves to process the food we eat. After eating, digestion follows. The nutrients in the food we eat turns to building blocks that fuel the body. The process in which body transforms energy from food is called metabolism.

Metabolism is a group of chemical reactions happening in our body’s cells. This process converts fuel from the food we consume into energy needed by our body to function properly, move, think and develop. There are specific proteins in our body that regulate the chemical reaction of metabolism. Specific chemical reactions are in line with specific bodily functions. In fact, thousands of metabolic reactions happen at the same time – as regulated by the body – for our body cells to function properly and to stay healthy and free from diseases.

Metabolism is a constant process that starts at birth and stops when we die. It is a vital process in every life form – not just on people. If metabolism stops, life ceases among living things.

How to Improve Your Body’s Metabolism

To increase metabolism, do no skip meals, especially breakfast. Eating late as midday or late afternoon forces the body to use up the energy left to perform properly. Thus, going through the day with little energy slows down metabolism.

To effectively increase metabolism, try to eat four to six small meals stretched out throughout the entire day. Natural ways of increasing metabolism is encouraged rather than taking in food supplements and herbal medicine. Remember also to include energy giving food in your daily diet such as whole grains and fiber-rich foods such as vegetables and fruits. Do away with too much cholesterol as its components are harder to process during digestion.

Skipping meals will only increase your hunger pangs, thus, increasing your tendency to overeat in the following meal. Plan your meals throughout the day. Take smaller servings in more frequent duration.

Always move. Do things the old-fashioned way – walk through the stairs rather than taking the elevator or escalator. A few steps and movements will help you perspire more and hasten metabolism. People with sedentary lifestyle must exert a little effort to move within their work cubicle.

During weekends, clean the house, bathe the dogs, or mow the lawn. Moving around the house will help increase the pace of your metabolism.

Minimal exercise or walking must be included in your daily routine. Around 20 to 30 minutes of walking each day is recommended. It would be better if you can squeeze in regular visits to the gym for a 30- to 45-minute walk in the treadmill.

Remember, the faster your metabolism, the healthier you will be.

The Role of Chiropractic Care in Boosting Metabolism

The spine is an essential part of one’s nervous system and can affect the function of other organs and systems in the body. Thus, if the spine is damaged or unhealthy, it can cause the slow down or inefficiency of other functions, as well, including digestion in which metabolism is a significant part of. Through chiropractic care, the spine can be aligned and its function can be restored. And with such case, you will feel an improvement in your digestion.

Additionally, when you feel healthy, your mobility is increased. And the more you move, the faster your metabolism will be. This is essentially how chiropractic treatment can help you speed up your metabolism and achieve the weight and figure you have always dreamed of.

There are some diet tips which one may refuse to believe because they are counterintuitive, meaning they seem to go against the grain of the usual philosophy underlying diets. This article will discuss some of these counterintuitive diet tips and why they work.

The first tip is that one should eat six times a day, instead of three. Now it is easy for one to conclude that this is not a weight-loss but a weight-gain tip. How can one lose weight by eating twice as often in one day? The answer lies in the question itself. What one would be doubling is not the quantity of the consumed food, but the frequency by which these foods are introduced into the body. Eating six times a day does not mean that one has to eat a complete meal in each time. It means one should eat three substantial meals plus three snacks a day. The scientific explanation for this is simply that eating frequently causes one’s blood sugar to stabilize thereby preventing it from dropping to a point where one would be tempted to resorting to uncontrollable binges. In addition, where one frequently eats, the body’s metabolism is constant, preventing the body from thinking it is being starved which causes it to save on calories.

Another counterintuitive tip is that one should not be obsessed with controlling the portions of the foods he eats. It is correct to say that eating too much will lead one to gain weight. However, this does not necessarily lead to the conclusion that the solution is cutting back on his portions. The correct way of doing it is by choosing the right foods to eat. When this is done, one would realize that the portions will take care of themselves. For example, eating more lean protein than bad carbohydrates will make a person feel fuller faster, which would prevent him from eating way beyond what is necessary. With that attitude even chocolate would be healthy addition to your menu.

Thus, one should, before following every diet scheme that comes his way, consider whether the diet is teaching the right stuff or not, or whether it follows the basic principles of biology and physiology or not.

Chocolates cause obesity, tooth decay, and even pimples in the face. But chocoholics have a reason to celebrate, because researches say that dark chocolates have certain health benefits!

The secret? A phytochemical called flavonoids which are found in cocoa. Flavonoids are antioxidants that work against free radicals that damage the cells. In addition, these flavonoids prevent arterial damage and stroke, protecting the body against the inflammation of blood vessels.

Moreover, flavonoids are not the only good things found in chocolates. Another healthy component of chocolates is polyphenol. Polyphenol is an antioxidant agent that protects chocolates from oxidation, extends their shelf-life, and prevents fat-like substances in the bloodstream from oxidizing and clogging the arteries.

Research also indicates that the cacao plant boosts the immune system and restricts the formation of the type of cholesterol which damages the heart. And although no concrete evidence directly links chocolates with the prevention of cancer, the catechins and the polyphenols in chocolates may have dramatic effect against diseases that damages cells.

And would you believe that contrary to popular belief, chocolates may actually help fight tooth decay? This is because they prevent the formation of tooth plaque which eats away the tooth surface. Although sugar in chocolates contributes to cavity formation, researchers believe that the antibacterial agents in cocoa bean its high sugar levels and the cocoa butter in the chocolate coats the teeth, preventing the formation of plaque.

And take note of this: chocolates actually contain four times the amount of flavonoids found in green tea!

The bad effects of chocolates are mostly overstated, if not entirely false. However, the truth that everything taken in excess is bad also applies with chocolates.

So, don’t feel guilty when eating chocolates from time to time. A reasonable amount will surely do you good. So go ahead, open that bar of chocolate and take a mouthful!

You know that the diet you are taking is effective because it works for other people. The TV commercials, magazines, and newspapers all claim that it is powerful. But, how come it does not work for you? Why aren’t you losing that excessive fats and calories when you have been taking the diet since like forever? Could it be that you are doing something wrong?

To ensure that you are doing the right dieting strategies, follow these 10 steps and make your diet work like magic!

Say no to fats.

Beware of “non-fattening” foods…because, unfortunately, there is really no such thing – with the possible exception of celery, at seven calories per stalk. Every other food contributes to your calorie balance. Too many people believe that there is one big category of food that is non-fattening, another that is fattening, and as long as you do not eat the forbidden foods, you will naturally lose weight. Thus, the dieter relieves himself of worrying about arithmetic or the size of the portions so long as he sticks to the first group, say roast beef, yogurt, and orange juice, while scrupulously avoiding foods in group two including bread, potatoes, and bananas.

This utterly disregards the plain facts: a three-ounce slice of roast beef (barely enough to decently cover a slice of rye bread) contains 260 calories, plain yogurt (made with whole milk), 150 calories a cup, and unsweetened orange juice, 110 calories a cup, while white bread is a mere 60 calories a slice, and a medium-size baked potato or a banana only 100. Calories do count. Those three little words should be recited prayerfully morning, noon, and night by anyone who seriously wants to reduce.

Be prudent about portion size.

Few people train themselves to distinguish between a three-ounce and a five-ounce hamburger patty. Yet the larger one contains about 200 more calories. Just eating one large-size hamburger a day – but counting it as a small one – will make a difference of nearly two pounds of fat a month. A full eight-ounce glass of orange juice, instead of a small juice glass, changes the figure from 55 calories to 110. This hidden surtax on the larger portion can destroy a calorie budget as completely as an obvious food splurge. So keep your eyes on portion size.

Count every calorie. That means every calorie. Many people forget to take into account “small snacks,” especially if they are nibbled over a long period instead of gobbled down in one handful. A cupful of cashew nuts unconsciously devoured while watching a football game does not seem worth thinking about, yet it represents 785 calories! Imagine that!

Stop leaning on protein.

Millions of sensible people have been inadvertently misled into thinking that protein contains few calories, or that protein somehow “burns” fat. Actually, protein contains about 120 calories per ounce, the same as carbohydrates. Fats, on the other hand, are more costly, consisting of about 270 calories an ounce. The idea that protein burns fat started out as a misunderstanding of an old laboratory experiment; it showed that if a person ate only pure protein (egg white is the only thing that comes close to that), about 30 percent of the energy eaten would be dissipated as heat shortly after the meal. The problem is that if the meal contains any fat or carbohydrates – as all meals do – the burning effect is canceled.

It is also widely believed that meat is pure protein and that, therefore, you can eat steak ad infinitum and emerge as slinky as a cougar. In fact, all meat contains fat. A three-ounce hamburger contains, on the average, 19 grams of protein (80 calories) and 26 grams of fat (about 230 calories). Three ounces of sirloin or de-boned rib roast contains 20 grams of protein (80 calories) and 20 grams of fat (180 calories). Ham contains even more fat calories in proportion to protein.

Cut down on sugar.

Sugar contains four calories per gram, just like other carbohydrates. It is absorbed by the body fairly rapidly, but this makes no difference in its contribution to weight gain. The average American consumes 100 pounds of sugar per year, the equivalent of 174,600 calories, or 50 pounds of body fat, which has to be burned up somehow if it is not going to be accumulated as extra weight.

It is reported that over $800 billion are spent every year on medications for the relief of digestive disorders such as acid reflux, heartburn, irritable bowel, gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhea. These disorders are increasing and they can be largely attributed to people not being able to maintain proper nutrition and wholesome lifestyle, the foundations for a healthy digestive system.

Research and studies have shown that chiropractic care offers effective solutions to this modern day epidemic associated with the digestive system.

The nervous system controls all of the body functions. Among them, the digestive function is controlled by the nervous system from several regions. The vagus nerve, which stems out of the brainstem into the first vertebra called the Atlas bone, stimulates all the major organs in the digestive system and controls the digestive process.The other areas of the nervous system that can influence the pace of digestion are the sympathetic nerves coming from the thoracic and lumbar regions and the nerve fibers of the sacral parasympathetic nerves. Any spinal misalignment in these regions can greatly affect the digestive function and can lead to neurological anomalies.

The chiropractic professional searches for such misalignment in the spine, called subluxation, taking to consideration the patient’s complaints pertaining to the disorder in the digestive system. Specific chiropractic adjustment corrects the subluxation and restores nerve supply to the impaired organs. This chiropractic approach respects the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Subluxations in specific areas of the spine can alter the normal functioning of the organs involved in the digestion of food and waste discharge. Chiropractic adjustments have been proven effective in restoring normal functions in patients with digestive disorders. Time and again, we see numerous cases of people having trouble with their bowel movement for days experience immediate relief after a chiropractic adjustment.

To cite a published study, a woman has been afflicted with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms for five years. After one adjustment, she felt relief with the symptoms and a short time thereafter, all her digestive problems vanished totally. Two years later when the study was published, the woman was still free of IBS symptoms.

Another study, in 2008, showed the power of chiropractic care for infants with digestive disorders, specifically constipation. Three infants with bowel movements from once a week to once every three or four days had underwent several medical treatment procedures including use of several laxatives, dietary changes and use of mineral oil and cod liver oil. All these attempts at treating the IBS were to no avail. These infants were then introduced to chiropractic wellness program that lasted from three weeks to three months. All of them experienced improvement shortly after the chiropractic care. By the end of the sessions, all the infants had regular bowel movements – at least once a day.

Until recently, the typical treatment for most digestive system disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, gallstones, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and hemorrhoids are pain relievers, immunosuppressant, artificial hormones and surgery. It is unfortunate that these drugs only provide superficial relief to the symptoms and do not permanently eliminate the underlying cause of the disease. Moreover, there is a long list of the side effects these drugs present. Surgery is complicated, costly and risky.

A recent study on “Chronic Nerve Compression” shows that Crohn’s disease and other digestive problems may be caused by subluxations. The undetected subluxations cause pressure on the nervous system and can significantly impact on your body’s digestion and the absorption of nutrients from food and liquids.

The result of a study of chiropractic patients with chronic digestive problems showed that 70 percent of these patients had long term and stable relief in their symptoms after 12 to 52 weeks of chiropractic adjustments – without using drugs or surgery.

The typical medical treatment methods for digestive problems, such as medications, dietary changes and surgery may provide relief in the symptoms of these disorders. However, the treatment should go further to look at the assignable cause to these problems, and not just relieve the symptoms short-term. Chiropractic care looks at at the health and state of the spine and nervous system, addresses the root cause of the disorder, thereby ensuring lasting and stable solution to the digestive problems.

Slave-driving bosses, demanding clients, inefficient colleagues, and tons of work are some of the familiar causes of stress and tension at any work environment. When it is too much to handle, we plan to get away from it all by taking long vacations aimed at recuperating tired bodies and energizing drained brains.

This explains why employees look forward to holiday vacations, which usually lasts one week or more. Though a long vacation is still one way of unwinding, you should take a look at these four recommended steps to purge stress:

It’s all about office furniture interior design. Your work area plays a big role in motivating or demotivating you to work. Small-confined office space, cluttered desk, and boring furniture can cause you to be irritated most of the time because you don’t feel comfortable in your office. Make sure to choose the right office furniture pieces and arrange them to provide inspiring work space.

Relax and take frequent and shorter vacations. Taking a long leisure walk at your favorite park, dining out with friends, or watching movies with your family are just some of the ways to chill out. Apart from being more effective, these ways are definitely cheaper than lengthy out-of-town rendezvous.

Reenergize by exercising regularly. Blow off steam by flexing those muscles and stretching those weary limbs. This is especially good to nine-to-five employees – those who frequently sit and stare at their computers all day. Besides boosting your health and building up resistance against tension-related illnesses and repetitive stress injuries, it is such a relief to see all those stress released through your sweat.

Remember that your job is just one part of your life. Office nightmares do not make up your whole being. Your life does not revolve around your difficult boss, clients, or officemates. Pay more attention to those which truly makes you happy like your family and friends. Allot time in doing your favorite hobbies and interests. Isn’t it always satisfying to have something or someone to look forward to at the end of each day?

Work takes up most of our time every day. Make sure that you what you do works for you, and not against you.

Digestive disorders can be very painful, irritating and unpleasant. Apart from causing these undesirable effects, they can significantly interfere with the proper digestive function the rest of your body depend on to sustain their own particular functions. Digestion is vital to your body as the combustion of fuel in a car is to produce power to keep it moving.

The Most Common Digestive System Disorders

The following are the top digestive disorders based on statistics from institutions associated with digestive health:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – This is a chronic disease affecting 20 percent of Americans. In GERD, a condition called acid reflux, when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causes burning pain in your mid-chest. It usually occurs after meals or at night. Persistent heart burn, bad breath, nausea, tooth erosion, pain in your upper abdomen or chest, and difficulty with swallowing or breathing are symptoms of this disease. Most people with GERD avoid the foods or drink that trigger their symptoms. They can also take antacids or other medications against stomach acid production and anti-esophagus inflammation. More serious cases of GERD may need stronger medications or even surgery.

Gallstones – Hard deposits that form in your gallbladder, the small sac-shaped organ that stores bile for digestion, are called gallstones. These gallstones form from too much cholesterol or waste in your bile. 20 million Americans have gallstones. Gallstones can cause sharp pain in your abdomen, in the upper-right part. Medications can sometimes dissolve gallstones. The next step when that does not work is surgery to remove the gallbladder.

Celiac Disease – This condition is a serious sensitivity to gluten, a type of protein commonly found in wheat, barley or rye. Gluten intake will cause a part of your small intestine to be damaged. Close to one percent of Americans have celiac disease. It is estimated that 83 percent of those who have this disease are not aware that they have it. Symptoms in adults include anemia, bone loss, fatigue, depression and seizures. Some people may not have symptoms, however. Completely avoiding gluten is the only treatment for celiac disease.

Crohn’s Disease – It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that commonly affects the small intestine. The condition is chronic and is also an autoimmune disease, which means your own immune system attacks cells in your body that it mistakes for foreign invaders. 0.7 million Americans are affected by Crohn’s disease. Abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, fever and weight loss are common symptoms of Crohn’s disease. Depending on these symptoms, pain relievers, immunosuppressant and surgery may be employed as treatment.

Ulcerative Colitis – This is another type of inflammatory bowel disease. It affects 0.7 million Americans. Its symptoms are similar to those of Crohn’s disease except that the part of the digestive tract that this condition affects is the large intestine or colon. Sores or ulcers develop in the colon’s lining from the immune system’s attack on food or other substances it mistakes for foreign invaders. The symptoms of ulcerative colitis include frequent bowel movements, pain with diarrhea, abdominal cramps or blood in the stool. Inflammation can be suppressed through medications. Surgery to remove the colon may be necessary in severe cases.

Irritable Bowel Movement – A common digestive condition affecting ten to 15 percent of the population, the causes of irritable bowel movement is unknown. The symptoms of this disorder are varied. It can go from having constipation or diarrhea and stomach pain at least a few times in a month for several months. The treatment focuses on avoiding common trigger foods, having a low fat diet rich in fiber and taking probiotics.

Hemorrhoids – This condition is so prevalent. 75 percent of Americans older than 45 years have hemorrhoids. These are inflammation of the blood vessels at the digestive tracts’ end. They can be itchy and painful and can cause bleeding that is discharged with the stool. They can be caused by chronic constipation or diarrhea, or straining during bowel movement. This condition can be treated by taking food high in fiber, drinking plenty of water or use of creams and suppositories. Severe cases sometime require surgery to remove hemorrhoids.

By being aware of the common disorders of the digestive systems, their causes and treatment, you can prevent them from occurring or you can consult with your health care provider if you feel you may have the symptoms for these digestive problems.

The Role of Chiropractic Treatment

Like with other functions in the body, the nervous system has significant control over the digestive function of the body. Additionally, there are several nerves that affect the stimulation, pace, and process of digestion such as the vagus nerve, sympathetic nerves, as well as the sacral parasympathetic nerve fibers. Misalignment and/or damage to any of these nerves may cause digestive problems and may even lead to compromise of the neurological function.

Spinal manipulation, as part of chiropractic treatment, can therefore help with maintaining the digestive function of the body and avoid digestive problems. Several studies have shown the significant effect of chiropractic adjustments in restoring the optimal function of the digestive system.